The Free Press
MANKATO —
Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s refusal to allow the state to accept hundreds of millions of dollars in federal health care funding will provide an ignominious legacy for the governor.
It’s also a devastating blow to Minnesotans seeking access to health insurance, to the poor and to the health care industry, which is so vital to the economy of the Mankato region and the state.
The Republican governor, citing his distaste for federal health care reform, had refused to accept funds that would allow early enrollment of the state’s poorest into the Medicaid program. He’s turned down more money that would go to everything from creating a federal high-risk insurance pool in Minnesota to funds for sex education in schools.
This week, the governor used an executive order — a tool he’s wielded often to circumvent the legislative process — to formally forbid any state agency from accepting any of the federal health-related funds, unless specifically required by state law.
There are plenty of people who dispute the wisdom of federal health care reform, but even ardent detractors know it’s foolish not to accept federal funds — including those paid by Minnesotans — because of policy disagreements. In fact, other Republican governors — even those suing the feds to stop health care reform — have ensured their citizens get their fair share of funding.
This week the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce — a Republican-friendly group — urged Pawlenty to seek the discretionary federal dollars.
The potential loss of funds is significant. Some estimate the state could lose $1.4 billion in state health care funding in the next few years, including money that could fund some 20,000 jobs.
It’s impossible to believe Pawlenty’s actions are not tied to his aspirations as a presidential candidate. But his moves are doing him no good with voters — at least here in his home state. A new survey shows even his Republican base is fleeing from him because of his failure to take care of state residents as he travels the country to early presidential primary states.
The only positive thing is that the state’s next governor will have time — a very short time — to undo some of the damage by accepting funds after they take office.
Voters should quiz the candidates on exactly what they would do in regard to federal healthcare funds if elected.
